Transformation ‘not working’ say CSA

CRICKET SA (CSA) have admitted that their efforts to transform the game in the country are faltering.

“The very fact that there is a need to set certain targets indicates that the system has not been working optimally to achieve representivity,” CSA president Chris Nenzani was quoted as saying in statement issued after the organisation’s annual meeting in Johannesburg on Saturday.

“We remain in dialogue with the (sports) ministry and the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in order to find common ground and address those areas where we need to improve.

“I am confident that our engagements will bear fruits.”

To help make that happen CSA on Saturday announced “targets (that) require the national team to play an average minimum of 54% black players and average minimum of 18% black African players over the season”.

That translates into six players of colour in a team, two of them black African.

“With the targets being measured over the full season and being cumulative across all three formats our selectors and team management will have the flexibility to deal with varying circumstances,” Nenzani was quoted as saying.

In April sports minister Fikile Mbalula said CSA would not be allowed to bid to host major international events because the EPG had reported that cricket’s national teams were 5% short of the 60% target for players of colour CSA had agreed with the ministry.

CSA reported a surplus of R107-million on Saturday, which they said was “R89-million better than budget”.